Some Politicians Should Receive ‘Dishonorable Discharges’ for Actions Taken After the Chattanooga Shooting

Last week proved to be another dark blemish in the history of the United States with the brutal murders of four U.S. Marines and a sailor serving in the U.S. Navy allegedly at the hands of another “lone wolf” who apparently carried out the edicts of Islamic State terrorism on American soil against our military.

How long will this administration continue to shrug off the acts of terrorism and the threats to the security of the U.S. without calling it what it really is, namely radical Islamic State terrorism?

“We have a general concern, obviously, that ISIL is focusing on the uniformed military and law enforcement,” Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Director James Comey told reporters in May.

An order upgrading the threat level was signed by Admiral William Gortney, who heads the U.S. Northern Command overseeing all U.S. military installations in the continental U.S. His order applied to National Guard facilities, recruiting stations and health clinics, according to a Pentagon official.

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“We have the same concern about the potential threat posed by violent homegrown extremists,” Captain Jeff Davis, spokesman for the U.S. Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, said earlier this year.

And yet, knowing that there was sufficient evidence to raise the threat level and that homegrown terrorist threats were also possible, the Commander-in-Chief did not issue an order to arm our military. Instead, our military men and women serving this country became target practice for any wayward “lone wolf” or other terrorist attack.

Decisions seemingly made out of political correctness rather than reason cost five military men their lives. That’s a failing grade in my book.

If politicians who serve this country could be dishonorably discharged like those in the military who fail the American people by their morally unacceptable choices then this administration would be facing those charges, as well.

Clearly, the high threat level established by the FBI and the issuance of the order by Gortney were ignored.

Were there other questionable measures that were taken by Obama and members of his administration following the massacre of our military in Chattanooga that deserve “dis-honorable” mention?

A statement was released by Obama shortly after the killings of the four U.S. Marines by a suspect who self-identified as a Muslim and who was also suspected of possibly being a homegrown extremist.

Obama’s statement extended the “warmest” wishes from himself and Michelle to Muslims celebrating the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The month is reportedly the most violent month of the year in the Islamic world, when Muslims renew their devotion to Allah and where violent jihad is a supreme act of devotion to Allah.

Obama went on to say in his celebratory statement that it was “a reminder to every American of the importance of respecting those of all faiths and beliefs,” while knowing that there was a real possibility that the servicemen had been killed at the Chattanooga recruiting centers as a result of the gunman’s radical religious beliefs.

Obama concluded by saying that he and Michelle hoped that “today brings joy to all of your homes, both here in the U.S. and around the world. From my family to yours, Eid Mubaraki!”

While Obama had previously commented that the murders of the service members were “heartbreaking” and condemned the killings, the timing of the release of the statement so soon after the tragedy, while expressing his hope of “joy” for those celebrating Eid, showed extremely poor judgment.

Additionally, the Senior Advisor to Obama, Valerie Jarrett was busy taking selfies with celebrities and posting them on Twitter within hours of the Chattanooga tragedy. Those on Twitter blasted her for her insensitivity and lack of respect. Morally unacceptable behavior on a day of mourning for the nation?

Not to be outdone, Obama topped off his day by taking in a Broadway show and fundraiser. Who hasn’t done that following a death in the family or in this case our military family? Would it be too much to expect a leader to lead the nation in mourning? If it were possible, would this be considered morally unacceptable behavior that would be worthy of a dishonorable discharge?

And then, as if to finally reflect on the loss to America and their families, Obama announced that he was going away this past weekend for some “personal time.” There was probably no time for self-reflection, however, because the weekend in New York City included a secret Democratic National Committee fundraiser as well.

Never letting a moment go to waste following a tragedy, this was Obama’s second time attending a fundraiser following a tragic event that struck this nation.

As you may recall, Obama’s decision to attend a fundraiser the day after the massacre in Benghazi was questioned by critics for its “appropriateness.” Dishonorable discharge worthy or acceptable behavior for the leader of the free world?

Finally, as if there had not been enough evidence of thoughtless decisions made following the loss of life in Chattanooga, Obama failed to order all U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff.

While his Senior Advisor can arrange for the White House to be lit with colorful rainbow lights and the owners of the Empire State building can display green lights for the celebration of Eid, Obama couldn’t take the time to issue the order to show respect for the loss of life.

While the President can issue an executive order to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the U.S. government and others as a mark of respect to their memory, apparently such details were overlooked.

All in all, following the tragic deaths of our military at the hands of a possible radical Islamic State extremist who carried out the tenets of radical terrorism, the actions of this administration, while not subject to a dishonorable discharge, have been appalling and morally unacceptable to those in America who value our military and the freedoms that they protect.

Those that lost their lives, their families and the American public in general deserve better from a sitting president and his or her administration.

May God bless the U.S. military men and women who serve honorably to protect our freedoms every day and may God bless those who lost their lives in Chattanooga while honorably doing the same.

About Author

Susan Calloway Knowles, is a licensed Psychotherapist and former practicing Family Law Attorney, Author, Guest Speaker on Conservative Internet Radio, and a political/cultural Blogger. Susan is also an avid investigative researcher having honed her skills in the legal profession.
Susan’s website, SusanKnowles.com, covers articles she has written on an array of topics, including governmental interference of parental and children’s rights, the U.S. Constitution, military and veterans’ issues, issues pertaining to California from the viewpoint of a conservative living in a Blue State, and hot topics pertaining to the Obama Administration’s policies, including immigration policies. You can also find her on Twitter at @SusanKnowles.
Susan’s book, a political fiction, is entitled “Freedom’s Fight: A Call to Remember,” and is available on Amazon.

In 2008 my life changed when Barack Obama came into my front yard on a campaign stop. I asked him why he wanted to raise taxes, and he said that he wanted to “spread the wealth.” Since then, I have gained a national following as “Joe the Plumber” and now travel the country speaking and encouraging other everyday folks to get involved in the political process.